Brief:In a top group of 18 it was considered likely that the final results would come to a sprint between the seasoned professionals like Cornelisse, Koerts and Van Petegem. But in the last line-up with 400 metres to go the Lithuanian Saulius Ruskis, who is currently without a contract, got himself in the right position. He sprinted so resolutely that no-one was able to match his intensity. TVM teammates Hoffman and Van Petegem were both stranded and fought out the minor places behind him.The 23-year old Luthuanian, who speaks Dutch said: "This sort of final sprint is a speciality of mine. I rode earlier this year for the amateur club of Oostakker-Lochristi. Now I live in the Northern French town of St. Quentin, where I am riding for a semi-professional club. This is my 11th win this season. Do I have professional ambitions? Naturally, but I have not yet met a team." 84 riders started in the race which is in memory of the BWB official Marcel Mels. Shortly after the start Bart Velghe and Gunther Cuylits attacked. The duo were caught during the second lap. At the half-way mark, 18 riders went clear. They were Cornelisse, Omloop, Daelman, Hans De Clercq, Rivera, Koerts, Eeckhout, Hoffman, De Meester, Van Petegemn, Ruskis and others. In de finale, Wim Omloop attacked but was caught in the final run in to the line. Sint-Gillis-Waas, 157 kms:1. Saulius Ruskys (Lit) Elite 3.37.00 (41.41) 2. Tristan Hoffman (Ned) TVM 3. Peter Van Petegem (Bel) TVM 4. Brian Dalgaard (Den) Spar-RDM 5. Michel Vanhaecke (Bel) Ipso 6. Jans Koerts (Ned) Rabobank 7. Jean-Pierre Heynderickx (Bel) Home Market 8. Danny Daelman (Bel) Collstrop 9. Niko Eeckhout (Bel) Lotto-Mobistar 10. Ronny De Meuter (Bel) Elite 11. Hans De Meester (Bel) Tonissteiner 12. Gianni Rivera (Bel) Palmans-Ideal * 13. Tom Desmet (Bel) Collstrop 14. Hans De Clercq (Bel) Palmans-Ideal 15. Karl Pauwels (Bel) Palmans-Ideal 16. Michel Cornelisse (Ned) Spar-RDM 17. Wim Omloop (Bel) Spar-RDM 18. Rik Van Slycke (Bel) Spar-RDM 19. Geert Omloop (Bel) Spar-RDM 20. Koen Deschuytter (Bel) Collstrop 21. Peter Spaenhoven (Bel) Palmans-Ideal 22. Kurt Eeckhout (Bel) Elite 23. Michel Willems (Bel) Elite 24. Cedric Van Lommel (Bel) Elite 25. David Dewulf (Bel) Elite 26. Ronny Assez (Bel) Home Market-Charleroi 27. Lorenzo Louagie (Bel) Elite 28. Marc Laureys (Bel) Elite 29. Ivan Segers (Bel) Elite 30. Guy Smet (Bel) Elite Started: 83* stagiaire |